Supple Impact Simulated Trash Can Assembly

ABSTRACT

A supple impact simulated trash can assembly includes a trash can body defining a receiving cavity, and a lid detachably attached on the trash can body, wherein the trash can body, and the lid are configured to be slightly deformable, so that when the supple impact simulated trash can assembly hits on a target, a possibility of injuring the target by the supple impact simulated trash can assembly is minimized.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to a provision application having an application Ser. No. of 61/700,458 and a filing date of Sep. 13, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a simulated trash can assembly, and more particularly to a supple impact simulated trash can assembly for use in a wide variety of suitable sporting or role play events.

2. Description of Related Arts

In many sporting activities, such as wrestling, there are many people of all ages that role play and emulate wrestling and the antics played out in the ring. During a typical wrestling session, wrestlers may get some items and use them to hit each other. For example, a wrestler may pick up a standard metal trash can and lid and use those items to hit his opponent. Such action would certainly cause severe or fatal injuries on the part of the opponent. Although the use of metal trash cans and lids as weapons in a wrestling session may greatly enhance the excitement of the session, there is a need for minimizing the chance of causing severe or fatal injuries due to the use of such metal trash cans ad lids.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a supple impact simulated trash can assembly which may be used as a simulated weapon in a wrestling session or a role play session, and is capable of minimizing the chance of injuring an opponent when he or she is hit by the supple impact simulated trash can assembly of the present invention.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a supple impact simulated trash can assembly which is configured to hold its shape when presented for striking, and is soft and pliable enough for substantially reducing the possibility of causing injury on the part of the person hit by the supple impact simulated trash can of the present invention.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a supple impact simulated trash can assembly comprising a trash can body and a lid, wherein such components are configured to be optimally deformable so that when the supple impact trash can assembly hits on an opponent, the possibility of him being injured can be minimized or even eliminated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a supple impact simulated trash can assembly comprising a trash can body and a lid detachably disposing on the trash can body, so that a user may use either the trash can body or the lid for hitting a target.

In one aspect of the present invention, it provides a supple impact simulated trash can assembly, comprising:

a trash can body defining a receiving cavity; and

a lid detachably attached on the trash can body, wherein the trash can body and the lid are configured to be slightly deformable, so that when the supple impact simulated trash can assembly hits on a target, a possibility of injuring the target by the supple impact simulated trash can assembly is minimized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is front perspective view of a supple impact simulated trash can assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a lid is disposed on top of a trash can body.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the trash can body of the supple impact simulated trash can assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are top perspective view and bottom view of the lid of the supple impact simulated trash can assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are schematic diagrams of the supple impact simulated trash can assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that a user may use either the trash can body or the lid to hit an opponent.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the trash can body along line A-A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the lid according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the lid has an air chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is the preferred mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in any limiting sense. It is presented for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention. Each of the inventive features described below can be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2, FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B, and FIG. 5 to FIG. 6 of the drawings, a supple impact simulated trash can assembly (hereinafter referred to as a trash can assembly 1) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Broadly, the trash can assembly 1 comprises a trash can body 10 defining a receiving cavity 111 and being configured to stand on a flat surface, and a lid 2 detachably disposed on the trash can body 10. The trash can body 10 and the lid 2 are configured to be slightly deformable, so that when the trash can assembly 1 hits on a target, a possibility of injuring the target by the trash can assembly 1 can be minimized.

The trash can body 10 has a main portion 12, a top rim portion 13 providing on top of the main portion 12 and defining an upper end 4 of the trash can body 10, and a base portion 6 providing underneath the main portion 12 and defining a lower end 5 of the trash can body 10. The main portion 12 has a substantially circular cross sectional shape and forms an outer shell 3 encircling the receiving cavity 111. The trash can body 10 is approximately 24 inches in height and approximately 17 inches in outside diameter at the upper end 4 of the trash can body 10, and approximately 14 inches in outside diameter at the lower end 5 of the trash can body 10. In other words, the trash can body 10 tapers from the upper end 4 to the lower end 5.

The trash can body 10 further comprises a plurality of can handles 7 extending from two sides of the main portion 12 respectively. The can handles 7 are provided on an upper part of the trash can body 10 and are opposite to each other for allowing a user to conveniently grab thereon and hit the trash can body 10 to an opponent.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, an outer surface of the main portion 12 of the trash can body 10 has a wavy cross section to define a plurality of first convex sections 121, and a plurality of first grooves 9 each of which is formed between two adjacent first convex sections 121. In this preferred embodiment, each of the first grooves 9 extends longitudinally along a longitudinal direction of the trash can body 10.

The top rim portion 13 of the trash can body 10 is circumferentially provided on top of the main portion 12. The top rim portion 13 has a substantially circular cross section so as to define a second groove 9 between the top rim portion 13 and the main portion 12. The second groove 9 circumferentially extends along a top edge of the main portion 12.

The base portion 6 has a bottom rim portion 61 circumferentially extending from a lower end of the main portion 12, and a base panel portion 62 providing within the bottom rim portion 61 to form as a bottom of the trash can body 10, wherein the lower end 5 of the trash can body 10 is formed at a bottom side of the base panel portion 62. The base portion 6 has a through hole 8 communicating with the receiving cavity 11. This through hole 8 provides air ventilation within the receiving cavity 11 and therefore prevents suffocation on the part of the person hit by the trash can body 10. The through hole 8 has a diameter of approximately 2 inches.

On the other hand, the bottom rim portion 61 of the base portion 6 is circumferentially provided on the bottom of the main portion 12. The bottom rim portion 61 has a substantially circular cross section so as to define a third groove 9 between the bottom rim portion 61 and the main portion 12. The third groove 9 circumferentially extends along a bottom edge of the main portion 12.

The base panel portion 62 has a substantially circular cross section and is surrounded by the bottom rim portion 61. Like the main portion 12 of the trash can body 10, an outer surface of the base panel portion 62 also has a wavy cross section to define a plurality of second convex sections 621, and a plurality of fourth grooves 9 each of which is formed between two adjacent second convex sections 621. In this preferred embodiment, each of the second grooves 9 extends eccentrically with respect to the bottom rim portion 61.

The two can handles 7 are located on opposite facing sides of upper part of the trash can body 10 and are approximately 4.5 inches in length of 1.25 inch in width. A thickness of main portion 12 is approximately 3.00 inch.

The lid 2 is substantially circular in cross sectional shape and comprises a trash can lid shell 20 arranged to be detachably disposed on top of the trash can body 10. The trash can lid shell 20 has top shell surface 21, a bottom shell surface 22, and a side shell surface 23 circumferentially extending between the top surface 21 and the bottom surface 22. Moreover, the lid 2 further comprises a lid handle 11 providing on a central portion on the top shell surface 21 of the trash can lid shell 2. The lid 2 is approximately 17 inches in outer diameter, and an approximately 1.25 inches in height. The lid handle 11 has a length of approximately 5.5 inches, a width of approximately 1.375 inch, and a height of approximately 2.5 inches.

Each of the top shell surface 21 and the bottom shell surface 22 has a wavy cross sectional contour to define a plurality of third convex sections 200, and a plurality of fifth grooves 9 each of which is formed between two adjacent third convex sections 200. In this preferred embodiment, each of the third grooves 9 extends eccentrically from center of the trash can lid shell 2.

The first through fifth grooves 9 mentioned above may reinforce a structural integrity of the simulated trash can assembly and may be configured to have a shape which emulates an aesthetic appearance of a standard metal trash can. Additional grooves may also be added for further enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the trash can assembly 1.

The trash can assembly 1 further comprises a plurality of inflating valves 40 forming on the top rim portion 13, the main portion 12, the bottom rim portion 61, the base panel portion 62, and the lid 2. The top rim portion 13, the main portion 12, the bottom rim portion 61, the base panel portion 62, and the lid 20 are configured to be hollow and is inflatable by air via the inflating valves 40. In other words, all these components are configured to be slightly deformable so that when the trash can assembly 1 hits on a target such as an opponent (as shown in FIG. 2), a possibility of injuring the target by the trash can assembly 1 can be minimized or even eliminated. Moreover, after the hitting, the trash can assembly 1 is configured to return to its original shape by the inflating air.

More specifically, the hollow structure of the trash can assembly 1 may define a plurality of air chambers 50 in each of the top rim portion 13, the main portion 12, the bottom rim portion 61, the base panel portion 62 and the lid 2. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air chambers 50 of the top rim portion 13, the main portion 12, the bottom rim portion 61, the base panel portion 62 and the lid 2 are individually and separately formed so that each of these air chambers 50 does not communicate with other air chambers 50.

The supple impact simulated trash can assembly of the present invention may be configured and manufactured from a predetermined inflatable membrane or an inflatable membrane with a protective covering. Moreover, the trash can assembly 1 can also be configured from a protective covering filled and sealed with stuffing materials, foam material or any other material which exhibits a characteristic that when the trash can assembly 1 hits on a target, (either the trash can body 10 or the lid 2) it will temporarily and slightly deform so as not to harm the target. However, the trash can assembly 1 is capable of maintaining a predetermined structural integrity after hitting the target (i.e. returning to its original position).

The entire trash can assembly 1 remains in a predetermined level of pliability as to allow for its intended use of striking, temporarily yielding and then returning to and maintaining its individually characteristic shapes (i.e. original shape) and greatly reducing if not eliminating the possibility of injury. It is important to mention that the trash can body 10 and the lid 2 and all of their components described above are simulated components when used in a wrestling or role play session so that they may achieve the safety results described above. In other words, in a typical role play session, players may mimic using a real trash can assembly to hit each other. Moreover, they may actually practice wrestling by using the trash can assembly 1 of the present invention.

Supple impact trash can assembly of the present invention emulates and allows for safe play acting of the use of a standard metal trash can and lid as depicted and used in role play or professional wrestling. In its portrayed method of use, the user grasps the trash can body 10 by the upper end 4 and the lower end 5, thus presenting the trash can body 10 to any desired position in which to direct and strike their opponent (FIG. 4A). The lid 2 can be grasped by the lid handle 11 or the side shell surface 23, thus presenting the lid 2 to any desired position to direct and strike their opponent (FIG. 4B). Other methods of grasping the trash can body 10 and lid 2 may also be implemented at the preference of the user.

Furthermore, one may appreciate that although the trash can assembly 1 mentioned above may be used to hit opponents in a role play or wrestling session, it may actually be used as a real trash can assembly because the trash can body 10 may stand on a ground surface. Since the trash can assembly 1 is inflatable by air, it can easily be transported in a deflated state.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention. No limitation with respect to the specific device illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.

The present invention, while illustrated and described in terms of a preferred embodiment and several alternatives, is not limited to the particular description contained in this specification. Additional alternative or equivalent components could also be used to practice the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A supple impact trash can assembly, comprising: a trash can body defining a receiving cavity and being configured to stand on a flat surface; and a lid detachably attached on said trash can body, wherein said trash can body, and said lid are configured to be slightly deformable, so that when said supple impact simulated trash can assembly hits on a target, a possibility of injuring said target by said supple impact simulated trash can assembly is minimized.
 2. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 1, wherein said trash can body has a main portion, a top rim portion providing on top of said main portion, and a base portion providing underneath said main portion.
 3. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of inflating valves forming on said top rim portion, said main portion, said bottom rim portion, said base portion, and said lid respectively, wherein said top rim portion, said main portion, said bottom rim portion, said base portion, and said lid are configured to be hollow and is inflatable by air via said inflating valves.
 4. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 3, wherein said main portion has a substantially circular cross sectional shape and defines an outer shell encircling said receiving cavity, wherein said trash can body tapers from said top rim portion to said base portion.
 5. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 4, wherein said trash can body further comprises a plurality of can handles extending from two sides of said main portion respectively.
 6. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 5, wherein an outer surface of said main portion of said trash can body has a wavy cross section to define a plurality of first convex sections, and a plurality of first grooves each of which is formed between two adjacent first convex sections, wherein said first grooves extends longitudinally along a longitudinal direction of said trash can body.
 7. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 6, wherein said top rim portion is circumferentially provided on top of said main portion, wherein said top rim portion has a substantially circular cross section to define a second groove between said top rim portion and said main portion, wherein said second groove circumferentially extends along a top edge of said main portion.
 8. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 7, wherein said base portion has a bottom rim portion circumferentially extending from a lower end of said main portion, and a base panel portion providing within said bottom rim portion, wherein said base portion has a through hole communicating with said receiving cavity with an exterior of thereof.
 9. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 8, wherein said bottom rim portion has a substantially circular cross section to define a third groove between said bottom rim portion and said main portion, wherein said third groove circumferentially extends along a bottom edge of said main portion.
 10. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 9, wherein each of a top surface and a bottom surface of said base panel portion has a wavy cross section to define a plurality of second convex sections, and a plurality of second grooves each of which is formed between two adjacent second convex sections, wherein each of said second grooves extends eccentrically with respect to a center of said base portion.
 11. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 1, wherein said lid is substantially circular in cross sectional shape and comprises a trash can lid shell arranged to be detachably disposed on top of said trash can body, wherein said trash can lid shell has top shell surface, a bottom shell surface, and a side shell surface circumferentially extending between said top surface and said bottom surface.
 12. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 10, wherein said lid is substantially circular in cross sectional shape and comprises a trash can lid shell arranged to be detachably disposed on top of said trash can body, wherein said trash can lid shell has top shell surface, a bottom shell surface, and a side shell surface circumferentially extending between said top surface and said bottom surface.
 13. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 11, wherein said lid further comprises a lid handle providing on a central portion on said top shell surface of said trash can lid shell.
 14. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 12, wherein said lid further comprises a lid handle providing on a central portion on said top shell surface of said trash can lid shell.
 15. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 13, wherein each of said top shell surface and said bottom shell surface has a wavy cross sectional contour to define a plurality of third convex sections, and a plurality of third grooves each of which is formed between two adjacent third convex sections, wherein said third grooves extend eccentrically from a center of said trash can lid shell.
 16. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 14, wherein each of said top shell surface and said bottom shell surface has a wavy cross sectional contour to define a plurality of third convex sections, and a plurality of third grooves each of which is formed between two adjacent third convex sections, wherein said third grooves extend eccentrically from a center of said trash can lid shell.
 17. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 15, wherein said hollow structure of lid defines an individual air chamber in said lid.
 18. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 16, wherein said hollow structure of said trash can assembly defines a plurality of air chambers in each of said top rim portion, said main portion, said bottom rim portion, said base panel portion and said lid, wherein said air chambers of said top rim portion, said main portion, said bottom rim portion, said base panel portion and said lid are individually and separately formed.
 19. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 18, being configured from an inflatable membrane.
 20. The supple impact trash can assembly, as recited in claim 18, being configured from foam material. 